Electrical apparatus



July 20, 1965 P. H. EAsON ELECTRICAL APPARATUS Filed June 8. 1961 5.52 IIL A .53985 rlll! P r o n mm #l Y B wumnow 5.55m H v mm 5;. 1| |||||l| .moawf un.: 7 t w 1 V J f N om .wad om a Y Y 0 n Q mi l vw C .A m v Q o Ill Om Il Z u .4. R immlL muaow r liv .522m wzmzm mm United States Patent O 3,196,425 ELECTRICAL APPARATUS Paul H. Eason, Laurel, Md., assignor to Honeywell lne., a corporation of Delaware Filed .lune 8, 1961, Ser. No. 115,715 Claims. (Cl. Brill-399.1)

This invention relates to timing devices. More specilically, the present invention relates to scheduling control devices.

An object of the present invention is to .provide an improved scheduling control device for correcting cumulative timing errors of scheduled events.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved scheduling control device for periodically correcting timing errors in the scheduling of broadcast stations. h

A further object of the present invention -is to provide an improved scheduling control device, as set forth herein, which is characterized by a simplicity of operation and construction.

In accomplishing these and other objects, there .has been provided, -in accordance with the present invention, a scheduling control device having a time signal generator for producing sequential signals corresponding tothe time remaining in a schedule interval. A multiposition stepping switch is arranged to be sequentially energized by the aforesaid signals. A correction signal indicative of the termination of scheduled events is applied through the stepping switch, at a sequential position of the switch corresponding to the number of applied sequential signals, to a selected schedule interval event fill-in means. The selected event fill-in means is effective to schedule additional events during the remaining time in the schedule interval whereby to maintain each schedule interval at a relatively constant time length.

A better understanding of the present invention may be had from the following detailed description when read in connection with the accompanying drawing in which the single figure is a schematic representation of ascheduling control device embodying the present invention. n

Referring to the single figure in more detail, there is shown a scheduling control device having a time signal generator 1. The time signal generator 1 may be any suitable electronic or electro-mechanical device for periodically producing groups of sequential energizing signals. As shown in the single figure, the time signal generator 1 comprises a motor drive means 2 connected to a source of alternating current by'a pair of wires 3. The drive means 2 is effective to continuously and separately drive a first cam 5 and a second cam 6. Associated with each cam is a cam-operated switch '7 and 8. Thus, the first cam 5 is effective to operate a pair of contacts of a first switch 7 through a cam follower means 11. The cam follower means 11 is arranged to maintain the associated contacts 1li in an open condition until a cutout segment 13 of the first cam 5 is presented to the cam follower 11 by the motion of the cam 5.

Similarly, the second cam 6 is effective to operate a pair of switch contacts 15 of the second switch 8 through a cam follower 16. A cutout section 1'7 of the second cam 6 is effective to allow the switch contact 15 of the second switch 8 to be closed.

One of the switch contacts of the first switch 7 is connected to a ground point. The other contact of the n first switch 7 Vis connected to a switch contact of the second switch 8. The other switch Contact of the second switch 8 is connected to one end of a drive solenoid 20 of a stepping switch 21. The other end of the drive solenoid is connected to a stepping switch drive source 23.

The stepping switch 21 has an arm 24 driven by the solenoid 20 for sequentially contacting a plurality of stationary contacts A to R. The stationary contacts A to R are selectively connected to a tape transport 26. Thus, the contacts A to H are connected to the tape transport 26 by a connecting lead 28. The contacts J to M are connected to the transport 26 by a connector 29.V Similarly, the contacts N and P are connected to the transport 26 by a connector 3u; the contact Q is connected to the transport 26 by a connector 31, and the last contact R is connected to the transport 26 by a connector 32. An energizing signal source 35 is arranged to selectively supply an energizing signal during a schedule interval to the arm 24 for selective distribution to the transport 26 along the aforesaid connecting wires 28 to 32.

The tape transport 26 may be any suitable record playing means for producing a plurality of loutput signals in response to corresponding energizing signals applied thereto. For example, the tape transport 26 may comprise a plurality of individual transports for reproducing associated records in response to corresponding energizing signals applied thereto. The output signals from the tape transport 26 are applied to a common pair of output terminals 35. Further, the tape transport 26 is arranged to produce a start signal at the conclusion of each transports recorded signal reproducing operation. This start signal is applied along a'connecting lead 38 to the arm 24 to be selectively distributed by the stepping switch 21 to another part of the tape transport 26 as determined by the position of stepping switch 21. Additionally, the tape transport 26 is further arranged to produce a reset signal at the conclusion of the signal reproducing operation actuated by a start signal from the last contact R; i.e., a signal indicating the termination of operation of the last one of the transports cornprising the tape transport 26. This reset signal is applied along a connecting lead 39 to the drive solenoid 20 to reset the arm 24 to the first position A.

The operation of the apparatus of the present invention follows:

Assume the driven ar-m 24 of the stepping switch 21 is in the first position A. Further, assume the first cam 5 is driven at the rate of one revolution in five seconds with the cutout section 13 being representative of one second of time. Thus, the contacts 10 of the first switch 7 are closed for one second out of each five seconds. The second cam `6 is arranged Ito complete one revolution in thirty minutes, and cutout section 17 corresponding to seventy-five seconds of time. Thus, `the contacts 15 of the second switch 8 are closed for seventy-five seconds in each thirty minutes. Finally, the rst and second cams 5 and 6 are arranged t-o have the first one-second switch closure interval produced by the first cam 5 occur at the time of the beginning of the seventy-ve second switch closure interval produced by the second cam 6. Accordingly, the signal generator y1 is effective to periodically connect the drive source 23 to a ground terminal through the solenoid 20 fifteen times after each twenty-eight m-inutes and forty-five seconds time interval. Thus, the arm 24 is driven to the second position B with the first combination of switch closures at twenty-eight minutes and forty-five seconds. The arm 24 is driven to the third position C five seconds after the aforesaid first movement as a resul-t of the live-second peri-od of rotation of the 'first cam 5.

At the end of the seventy-five second period, the arm 24 hasbeen periodically driven fifteen times by the operati-on lof the signal generator 1 whereby the arm 24 is incrementally stepped 'from the first contact A to the last contact R.

As previously discussed, the contacts A to R of the switch 21 are connected in five groups, which groups are separately connected to the tape transport 26. The first group of contacts A to H is connected to a portion of the transport 26 to apply an energizing signal thereto. This portion of the transport 26 is effective to produce a forty-second signal on the output terminals 36 from a reproduction of a record in the transport 26. The contacts J lto M are connected to a portion of the transport 26 which portion i-s effective to produce a twenty second -output signal on lthe output terminals 36. r[he contacts N and P are connected to a por-tion of the transport 26 which is effective to produce a ten second output signal, and the last two contacts Q yand R are each effective to energize the transport 26 to produce separate tive second output signals.

At the conclusion of the last operation of the tape transport 26, a reset signal from the transport 26 is applied to the stepping switch drive solenoid 20 to reset the arm 24 to the first position A.

The following example may be used to illustrate an actual operation of the present invention. Assume, the signal source 35 is responsive to a source of program material 40 which is being broadcast by a broadcasting station 41. This material is to be interrupted every half an hour for the identification letters of the station and is to be accurately scheduled toY terminate and initiate a program on each half hour. The signal generator 1 starts to drive the arm 24 after twenty-eight minutes and forty-five seconds from the first position A bythe operation of the first and second cams and 6. Assume the program material from the program source 40 erroneously ends at twenty-nine minutes ,and five seconds; i.e., -fifty-tive seconds early. At this time, the signal generator 1 has delivered five drive signals to the stepping switch Z1 .and the arm 24 is on the sixth contact F.

At the conclusion of the program material, the program source 4f) is arranged to supply an actuating signal to the energizing source 35. The source 35, in turn is effective to supply an energizing signal to the stepping switch 21. This signal is applied through the arm 24, the sixth contact F and the connecting lead 28 to the portion of the transport 26 which is effective to produce a forty second signal at the output terminals 36. This forty second signal may be an advertising recording which is applied to the broadcast station 41 for broadcast for the forty seconds required to reproduce the recording. During this forty second period, the signal generator 1 has delivered eight more driving signals t-o the switch 21 to drive the arm Z4 to `the fourteenth contact P.

A start signal representative of the conclusion of the operation of the forty second portion of the tape transport 26 is now applied along lead 38 t-o the port-ion of the transport 26 which is effective to produce a ten second signal at the output terminals 36. This output signal may be a ten second advertising record-ing which is broadcast for the ten second period following the forty second period of the previous recording.

During the ten second period of the advertising recording, the signal generator 1 is effective to deliver two more driving pulses to the arm 24. The arm 24 is drlven thereby to the last contact R. This position of the arm 24 is effective to apply a second start signal from the transport Z6 t-o a portion of the transport 26 to produce .a ve second output signal, which signal is arranged to be the station identification letters. Thus, at the termination of the broadcast of the previous ten second advertisement, the station identification letters are broadcast.

operation of the source of program material 40. The program material from the program'source 40 is now reinstated at the time desired; i.e., the beginning of the next half an hour. Thus, the early termination of the program material has been corrected and the further operation of the broad-cast stat-ion is maintained on a regular basis.

Accordingly, it maybe seen that there has been presented, in accordance with the present invention, a scheduling control device for correcting timing errors particularly in the continued operation of a broadcast station.

What'is claimed is:

1. A schedule interval control device comprising a ,signal generator for producing a group of sequential driving signals near the end of said schedule interval, a signal distributing means having an input line and a plurality of output lines for sequentially connecting said input line to each of saidV plurality of output lines, said signal distributing means being sequentially driven by said signals from said signal generator, a source ot an energizing signal representative of an error in said schedule interval, means connecting said energizing signal to said input line of said distributing means for sequential distribution along said output lines, means connected to said output lines and responsive to said energizing signal to selectively produce a plurality of output signals, each of said output signals having a predetermined time duration and corresponding to the application of said energizing signal along one of said output lines, and means responsive to a termination of said output signals for resetting said signal distributing means to an initial state. f

2. A schedule interval control means comprising a signal generator for producing Ya group of sequential driving signals during the end portion of said schedule interval, a stepping switch having an input line and a plurality of output lines, said switch being arranged to be sequentially driven by said driving signals from an initial position thereof to connect said input line to each ,of said output lines, a source of an energizing signal representative of an error in said schedule interval, means connecting said energizing signal to said input line of said stepping switch for sequential distribution along each of said output lines, a plurality of record reproducing means, each of said reproducing means being connected to a corresponding one of said output lines, each of said reproducing means being effective to produce an output signal having a predetermined time duration in response to said energizing signal, and reset means responsive to a final termination of the operation of said reproducing means for resetting said stepping switch to said initial position.

3. A schedule interval correction device comprising a source of an energizing signal representative operative to produce an error in said schedule interval, signal storage means for selectively supplying a plurality of independent output signals having respective predetermined time durations and synchronizing means connected between said source and said storage means and operative to select a combination of said output signals in response to the occurrence of said energizing signal to produce a composite output signal having a time duration substantially equal to the error in said schedule The signal generator 1 is now unable to deliver any more driving signals to the switch 21 since the second cam 6 has opened the second switch 8 which switch 8 is held open for twenty-eight minutes and forty-five seconds. Thetermination of the broadcast of the station identification letters is arranged to supply a reset signal along the reset line 39. This signal is effect-ive to reset t-he arm 24 to the lfirst position A, and may be used to resume the interval.

4. A schedule interval control device comprising a source operative to produce an energizingsignal representative of an error in said schedule interval, signal storage means for selectively supplying a plurality of independent output signals having respective predetermined time durations, synchronizing means connected between said source and said storage means and operative to select a combination of said output signals inV response to the occurrence of said energizing signal to produce a composite output signal having a time duration substantially equal to the error in said schedule interval, and resetting means connected between said Storage means and said synchronizing means and responsive to a termination of said composite output signal for resetting said synchronizing means to an initial state.

5. A schedule interval control device comprising a signal generator for producing a group of sequential driving signals near the end of said schedule interval, a signal distributing means having an input line and a plurality of output lines for sequentially connecting said input line to each of said plurality of output lines, said signal distributing means being sequentially driven by said signals from said signal generator, a source of an energizing signal representative of an error in said schedule interval, means connecting said energizing signal to said input line of said distributing means for sequential distribution along said output lines, and means connected to said output lines and responsive to said energizing signal to selectively produce a plurality of output signals, each of said output signals having a predetermined time duration and corresponding to the application of said energizing signal along one of said output lines.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS NEIL C. READ, Primary Examiner.

20 IRVING L. SRAGOW, Examiner. 

1. A SCHEDULE INTERVAL CONTROL DEVICE COMPRISING A SIGNAL GENERATOR FOR PRODUCING A GROUP OF SEQUENTIAL DRIVING SIGNALS NEAR THE END OF SAID SCHEDULE INTERVAL, A SIGNAL DISTRIBUTING MEANS HAVING AN INPUT LINE AND A PLURALITY OF OUTPUT LINES FOR SEQUENTIALLY CONNECTING SAID INPUT LINE TO EACH OF SAID PLURALITY OF OUTPUT LINES, SAID SIGNAL DISTRIBUTING MEANS BEING SEQUENTIALLY DRIVEN BY SAID SIGNALS FROM SAID SIGNAL GENERATOR, A SOURCE OF AN ENERGIZING SIGNAL REPRESENTATIVE OF AN ERROR IN SAID SCHEDULE INTERVAL, MEANS CONNECTING SAID ENERGIZING SIGNAL TO SAID INPUT LINE OF SAID DISTRIBUTING MEANS FOR SEQUENTIAL DISTRIBUTION ALONG SAID OUTPUT LINES, MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID OUTPUT LINES AND RESPONSIVE TO SAID ENERGIZING SIGNAL TO SELECTIVELY PRODUCE A PLURALITY OF OUTPUT SIGNALS, EAHC OF SAID OUTPUT SIGNALS HAVING A PREDETERMINED TIME DURATION AND CORRESPONDING TO THE APPLICATION OF SAID ENERGIZING SIGNAL ALONG ONE OF SAID OUTPUT LINES, AND MEANS RESPONSIVE TO A TERMINATION OF SAID OUTPUT SIGNALS FOR RESETTING SAID SIGNAL DISTRIBUTING MEANS TO AN INITIAL STATE. 